Reviews

The Wren, the Wren by Anne Enright

rosanne_'s review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

trinanom5's review

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

meghan_fucci's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

tessga's review

This book was just not for me, I skimmed a lot and finally just gave it up

bianca89279's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

lizardtree's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

genevieve_clerke's review against another edition

3.75

This book was so so so well written. Every sentence was stunningggg and it kind of gave me Sally Rooney vibes. Overall I thought it was very good and worth reading 

sarahmoran27's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

padmaja's review against another edition

emotional reflective

4.75

nadia's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

Disclaimer: I read this book in one day, while exhausted, in order to finish in time before the Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Prize winner announcement.

I went into this book with low expectations based on little tidbits I'd seen and heard from others and I found myself really taking to the writing style and I (bar one time) liked the multiple POVs. I also really liked how Enright played with the concept of memory and had recurring thoughts/moments crop up across different chapters and perspectives.

However, something about the book just didn't fully click. I felt detached from the characters and the poetry parts didn't really do much for me (though, maybe they would have had more impact had I not been rushing to finish the book). I did like the idea of weaving them in though!

Final Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:

1.  Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Enter Ghost
4. Soldier Sailor
5. Restless Dolly Maunder
6. The Wren, The Wren